Postoperative Effects of Chewing Gum, Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen on Pain After Initial Archwire Placement

Postoperative Effects of Chewing Gum, Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen on Pain After Initial Archwire Placement: a Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of ibuprofen, acetaminophen, chewing gum in reducing orthodontic pain. This study include 81 patients to be classified into 4 groups of 19 each: ibuprofen (400 mg), acetaminophen (500 mg), chewing gum and control. The patients in each group will receive 1 method immediately after placement of the initial archwire and every 6 hours for a week if they experiences pain. Pain perception will be recorded by the patients while jaw rest position and fitting back teeth at 2 hours, 24 hours, 2 days, 3 days, 7 days and 21 days after archwire placement, using a visual analog scale.

Inclusion Criteria:

• moderate teeth crowding
• no need for tooth extraction to orthodontic reasons

Exclusion Criteria:

• presence of autoimmune diseases
• history of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances